Huriwa Logo

Friday, 16 June 2017

Millions of pigs in China set to have better lives, while support grows in Brazil and Chile

Our work to improve
animal welfare practices globally is paying off for pigs. A landmark agreement
has been signed in China, and a new campaign has already gained the support of
22,000 people in Latin America

We’re pleased to share the news that we have
signed a landmark statement of intent with Da Bei Nong - one of China’s leading
agricultural producers - and the International Cooperation Committee of Animal
Welfare (ICCAW).

With guidance from our experts and the ICCAW,
Da Bei Nong will start a trial of higher animal welfare production for pigs
this month, with the aim of scaling-up these efforts from 2018. The statement
was signed in Beijing last week (Monday June 5).

More than 70 billion animals are
farmed for food each year, two-thirds of them in conditions
that mean they can’t move freely or live naturally.

China farms a huge percentage of the world’s
animals, and is home to over half of the world’s pig population.

Demand for pork has meant many food suppliers
are overlooking animal welfare in favour of low cost meat – resulting in the
suffering of millions of pigs every day. Sows are often
confined in crates or cages for most of their lives.

A timely change to
protect animals

Da Bei Nong currently has 60,000 sows producing
upwards of a million pigs.

The decision is set to change the lives of
millions of pigs, as the company embarks on ambitious expansion plans. The
producer will be trialling more space for sows and growing pigs, and animals
will also be provided with effective enrichment and comfortable flooring.

The signing of this landmark agreement shows a
shift in China’s pig industry.

More companies and organisations are
recognising the importance of higher animal welfare practices and the positive
impact it can have on production and sustainability in China.

Our 2016 survey found two thirds of
people in China would be willing to pay more for higher welfare pork. Of those
surveyed, 90% said they would be willing to change their
buying habits, to move to pork products from pigs that have lived better lives.

Change Pigs’ Lives
campaign grows

On the other side of the world in Brazil and
Chile, more than 22,000 people have joined our new campaign
#ChangePigsLives.

Launched last month, the drive is pushing
governments to legislate for higher animal welfare standards for pig
production.

Brazil is the fourth largest pork producer in
the world.

While there has been recent progress by
industry, over 42 million pigs continue to suffer at the hands
of outdated, cruel practices in the country.

Most sows will spend their entire lives in
small crates – a practice banned in the European Union and several countries
worldwide.

The campaigns in Brazil and Chile call for
group housing with room for sows to move, with enrichment to alleviate boredom,
the end of cruel mutilations on piglets including the cutting of teeth, ears
and tails with no anesthesia, and more space for growing pigs kept in sheds to
avoid fighting and the spread of disease.

HURIWA'S WORKING VISIT TO ICPC ON THE 27TH MARCH 2013

HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS' ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA; HURIWA, ON DECEMBER 12TH 2012 VISITED THE DIRECTOR GENERAL OF NATIONAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY[NEMA] ALHAJI MOHAMMAD SANI-SIDI ON THE CELEBRATION OF WORLD HUMAN RIGHTS DAY TO CONFER ON HIM THE HUMAN RIGHTS PERSON OF THE YEAR 2012 BY THE ORGANIZATION. THE DG PROMISED TO TAKE DISASTER MANAGEMENT LESSONS TO ALL PARTS OF NIGERIA. HURIWA WAS LED BY ITS NATIONAL COORDINATOR COMRADE EMMANUEL ONWUBIKO.